County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued the order effective March 25-April 3, urging nonessential workers to stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus. As of March 25, there were 116 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Harris County.
"Any delay in additional action would be incredibly problematic," Hidalgo said at a March 24 press conference. "By staying home, we are saving lives, we are flattening the curve of the virus, and we are not overwhelming our health care system and our community as a whole."
Government functions, health care operations, essential retail, food services, news media, child care facilities catering to essential workers, infrastructure, transportation and other essential services are permitted to continue operating.
But traffic is lighter on major roadways, and Cy-Fair landmarks that are typically heavily populated—such as the Berry Center and Houston Premium Outlets—sit empty.
